Graham Festenstein Lighting Design

Services

The scope of our work is dependant on the requirements of individual schemes We can provide a wide range of services from feasibility studies through to a full detailed design service.

A typical full design service will comprise; a concept scheme; design development; detailed design - including preparation of the documentation required to enable both tendering of the work, and installation by the contractor. Work during the construction phase would include an overview of contractors work, and upon completion of the installation the direction of focussing and programming of the final lighting scheme.

Most lighting projects are intended to enhance our environments and to provide practical lighting for tasks and day to day living. Lighting design is therefore about understanding how people use space and how this space can be enhanced by our work. Our methodology includes analysis of our clients aspirations, how the space is intended to be used and who will be using it. It is a fundamental philosophy guiding our work that lighting is for, and about people foremost.

As designers we favour using trials, tests and mock-ups to inform our design work. This enables us to ensure that we have identified an approach that will deliver the best results possible. In particular this is a useful tool to investigate the intangible and unpredictable nature of light in its interactions with the materials and structures to be lit. The use of practical trials assist us to deliver the most attractive, exciting and practical results whilst also enabling us to demonstrate our techniques and proposals to our clients and other design team members.

We consider that lighting design should be approached as an integral part of the whole design process and with this in mind we approach our work in a collaborative manner and are proactive in the way we work with our clients and the wider design team. The practice also provides consultancy and technical advice on specific issues or to other design professionals for example technical support to artists or advice to avoid or mitigate light pollution or light trespass.

The practice also specialises in the preparation of lighting strategies and masterplans to inform future developments and lighting related works, or to discharge planning conditions, in particular with reference to environmental and ecological issues - for example control of light pollution or strategies for the accommodation of bats.

As an independent consultancy we work on a fee basis, in this way our advice is objective and we are in a position to ensure our schemes off best value for money. Typically for most projects a fee would be charged which would be calculated dependant on the project and the scope of work. This scope of works and the fee would be agreed in writing between ourselves and the client. In some circumstances an hourly or daily rate is more appropriate for a given project and in these circumstances an hourly or daily rate would be charged.
Please note that we are not electrical engineers, however we do have a thorough understanding of technical design, electrical design standards and best practice, which informs our work. However as lighting consultants we do not undertake electrical design for our projects.
We are fully conversant with current legislation including health and safety requirements - CDM and the under taking of risk assessments, and relevant building regulations.

As an independent consultancy we do not supply products and abide by the standards set by both the IALD and ILP. The practice carries professional indemnity insurance.